While traveling with them, taking and posting pictures of our dog in the beautiful places we visited was enjoyable. Initially, our photo sessions were chaotic, but we learned some tricks to make our dogs pose for photos. Soon, we started receiving positive comments on our photos.
Teaching your dog to sit still for a photo isn’t complicated. Anyone can do it! You just need a camera, some treats, and a lot of patience.
Start With A Solid Sit
To get your dog to pose for photos, start by teaching him the “sit” command. When we say “sit,” we mean for your dog to sit down and stay seated until we give another command. We don’t use “wait” or “stay” because they’re unnecessary.
You can practice the “sit” command many times a day. Keep some treats handy, and ask your dog to sit whenever you can. When he does, reward him with a treat.
We use the word “free” to let our dog know he can stop sitting, but you can use any word you like. With practice, you can make your dog sit for longer periods, even with distractions or in new places. This will be helpful when you start taking photos.
Training “Watch Me”
Most dogs don’t like being stared at, and they usually look away when someone stares at them. This can be a problem when taking photos because we want them to look at the camera.
Getting your dog comfortable with the camera depends on the type of camera you use and your dog’s personality. If you use a cell phone, it might be easier because dogs are used to seeing phones. But if you use a bigger camera, it might take longer for your dog to get used to it.
Start by teaching your dog a command like “watch me” to look at the camera. Use treats to reward him when he does. At first, he might only turn his head a little, but that’s okay. Keep practicing, and he’ll get better at it.
We practice “watch me” when we feed dogs. We ask them to look at us until we say they can stop. They learned that command quickly!
Develop Your Patience
Trying to take the perfect photo of your dog can be tricky. Your dog might not cooperate, people might get in the way, or your camera settings might not be right. Lots of things can go wrong!
When you start feeling frustrated, take a deep breath and remember to have fun. Dogs can tell when we’re upset, and it can make them feel nervous. Just seeing your dog trying to do what you ask should make you feel happy.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Just like with any trick you teach your pup, the more they practice, the better they’ll be at it! If you want your dog to take great pictures on your next trip, start snapping photos of it at home now. Choose a quiet spot with few distractions at first.
Imagine you want your dog to pose perfectly on vacation. To get them ready for that, you need to start with some practice pictures in your kitchen first!
The more your dog practices staying still for pictures, the easier it will be to get those awesome vacation shots.
Embrace Imperfection
When you’re enjoying time with your pets, the camera captures emotions in a special way. Embrace the imperfections and be thankful for experiencing the world together. Whether the pictures are perfect or not, you’ll always have the memories.
Know When To Walk Away
No photo is more important than your dog’s well-being. When your dog was a puppy, he got distracted easily and wasn’t always good at following commands like “sit” and “come.”
Every dog has limits, just like people. As their owner, it’s important to recognize and respect your dog’s boundaries.
